Lakehead University
IN-2: Innovation 2

Aboriginal Education is a high priority at Lakehead University, as outlined in the current Academic Plan. In the Faculty of Education, this is evidenced by the Department of Aboriginal Education, which has three Aboriginal faculty, and a significant research agenda among Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal faculty members. There is no other such department in any publicly funded university in Canada.

The Department of Aboriginal Education's mission is to provide leadership and innovation in Aboriginal education, within the University and throughout the region, and to serve as the focal point for partnerships with Aboriginal peoples. The programs provide a more holistic and culturally appropriate approach to education, incorporating, for example courses that take into account health issues and the role of family, and community, in educating children. The language programs are committed to the rejuvenation of the Algonquin languages across Northern Ontario.

The Department of Aboriginal Education has several programs, some of which are listed below:

Native Teacher Education Program (NTEP)
This concurrent program provides the setting needed to pursue an undergraduate degree in an academically, socially, and culturally balanced environment. Established in 1974 by Director Harold Linklater, NTEP has been carefully designed to offer students a fine balance of academic and practical courses. NTEP is about creating an environment that reflects the cultures and values of First Nations. Students participate in a variety of core program courses that reflect diverse Aboriginal culture, leadership, and identity. NTEP class sizes are also relatively small, which allows you to work in close collaboration with your professors and fellow peers.

The program began as a two-year diploma program in 1975 with its first graduates leaving the program in 1977 to pursue careers in the teaching field. Since then over three-hundred (300) NTEP students have graduated. Graduates have ascended into positions of influence in the communities where they serve and reside. Employment has been, and continues to be, very successful, both in the federal and provincial educational institutions for those who have graduated.

Since establishment, NTEP has grown immensely and now is part of a four-year undergraduate concurrent degree program with teachables in most grade levels. Enrolled in the core courses of the NTEP program, students may earn an Arts or Science degree while they are concurrently working towards a Bachelor of Education (General) degree.

Native Language Instructors' Program (NLIP) Overview

Lakehead University, in the heart of Ojibwe country, offers a selection of Native Language courses through the co-operative efforts of Languages and Education. Native Language studies are proving to be of interest to students of every age, Native and non-native alike. While some students come to Lakehead especially to study Native Language, others find the study of Native Language complements their chosen program in other fields.

Lakehead University offers the Native Language Instructors' Program (NLIP), a summer program for Native Language teachers as well as a wide variety of Native Language courses during the summer, fall, and winter terms.

Honours B.Ed. (Aboriginal)
A four-year, stand-alone program. This program is designed with an emphasis on issues related to Aboriginal Education and working with all children, but especially with Aboriginal children. Graduates from this program will receive full teacher certification at the primary/junior division.

Over 300 NTEP students have graduated since the program commenced, joining approximately 600 NLIP graduates who are supporting, and revitalizing, the teaching of Ojibwe, Cree, and Oji-Cree. In 2013, the HBEd program graduated its first teachers, the numbers of graduates will continue to increase each year. All teaching graduates are certified by the Ontario College of Teachers.

Graduates have ascended into positions of influence in the communities where they serve and reside. The programs provide a valuable and necessary service to the community as they develop teachers who understand the social environment that Aboriginal students are living in, including acting as role models to Aboriginal children in the public school system. Employment of graduates has been, and continues to be, very successful, both in the federal and provincial educational institutions for those who have graduated.